New Māori Language Strategy confirmed

Minister of
Māori Affairs, Hon Dr Pita Sharples, has today released the
governments new Māori language strategy, which includes an
updated model for Te Mātāwai, a Māori governance entity
which will be charged with leading and guiding the Crown’s
strategy for te reo Māori.

Dr Sharples said “Te
Mātāwai is a significant part of the Māori language
strategy because it is an instrument which allows Māori/iwi
to lead and direct Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Te
Māngai Pāho and the Māori Television Service, and to
provide a vehicle to represent their role as kaitiaki in
relation to te reo Māori, it’s health and
wellbeing.”

“Te Mātāwai will now be
constituted by one representative from each of the 7
dialectal regions, 3 representatives chosen by Māori
language organisations, and 2 representatives appointed by
the Minister of Māori Affairs on behalf of the
Crown.”

“This revised structure addresses
feedback received through public consultation that asked for
increased representation for Māori language experts and
practitioners; and ensuring the on-going role and commitment
of the Crown to supporting Te Reo Māori.”

Dr
Sharples said Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori and Te Māngai
Pāho will remain and continue to deliver quality service
and support for our Māori language being changed from Crown
entities to statutory entities overseen by Te Mātāwai.

Te Mātāwai will also absorb the roles and functions of
Te Putahi Paoho, which is the electoral college for the
Māori Television Service. Māori Television remains as a
statutory entity, and will continue under dual oversight by
the Minister of Māori Affairs and the Minister of Finance,
alongside Te Mātāwai.

“New legislation will be
required to enact these changes. This legislation will be
tabled in the house today, and is due for first reading
before the end of July. This new legislation will formally
recognise the status of the language as a taonga, and Iwi
and Māori as kaitiaki of te reo Māori.”

“This
strategy has always been about putting the control of the
language back in to Māori/Iwi to which the taonga belongs.
It is envisaged that iwi/Māori control will not only
encourage a growth in distinct iwi/hapū language
programmes, but that many of these will reflect the various
hapū dialects which are taonga in themselves,” said Dr
Sharples.

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